Y’all this book blew me away. I have had it on my list for a few months and almost added it to my month of creepy reads for October’s episodes, but for whatever reason, I didn’t. I think one of the reasons I put it off was because I was afraid it was going to have far too much body horror for me to handle. I like horror but don’t like extreme body horror with graphic descriptions that seem to go on for days. For whatever reason, I was afraid that is what this book would be made of. One day, I was browsing Instagram and read a review of it where the person said they, too, had put it off for fear of extreme gore, but they ended up loving it, so I decided to give it a go, and I am so glad I did! I read the entire book in roughly 4 hours. As soon as I started, I couldn’t stop. This is a wild and captivating ride that had me riveted.

The book focuses on Maeve Fly, a young woman who works as a princess at The Happiest Place on Earth, which we all know as Disneyland, though it’s never called that in the book for obvious reasons. She and her best friend Kate work in the main park area – Maeve is The “ice princess” and Kate is her sister. Most everyone working here uses this as a side gig while also going on auditions, hoping to make it big. Maeve isn’t like everyone else, though. As cheesy as it sounds, Maeve LOVES this job and can’t imagine working anywhere else.

When Gideon Green, Kate’s brother, arrives in town, something inside Maeve awakens. Gideon is immediately taken by Maeve, but she isn’t that into him – at least not at first. Eventually, something shifts in her, and she begins to see him as someone she might be able to be with – provided he never finds out about the bodies.

One of the things that struck me the most about this book was how messed up Maeve was, yet at the same time, she remained strangely likable. By day, she takes on the role of every child’s beloved ice princess, working at a renowned theme park. But by night, she becomes a different person altogether, haunting the dark and gritty corners of the Sunset Strip.

When it comes to Maeve, the author manages to find the perfect balance between normal and completely fucked up. To those around her, Maeve seems like your typical, pretty, California blonde with a bit of an edge, but what bubbles beneath this perfect veneer is something really messed up. Through skillful and evocative prose, readers will feel every pulse-pounding moment and every disturbing thought that crosses Maeve’s mind. The author’s descriptive style allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the dark and twisted world she inhabits, making it impossible to tear yourself away from the story.

This is a book that pushes boundaries and challenges the typical conventions of the psychological thriller and horror genres. The pacing of the story is fantastic, with each chapter leaving you hungry for the next, but also moving forward with a sense of dread (but in a good way), wondering what Maeve is going to do next. And even though she’s not a good person, we kind of find ourselves rooting for her in some weird way.

What sets this book apart for me is its unapologetic exploration of the complexities of human nature. Maeve is a flawed protagonist, but it is through her flaws that she becomes relatable and captivating, and that makes this all the more terrifying. For the record, when I say relatable, I don’t mean in a murdery way. Some of the things Maeve does are horrifying, but when she’s not killing people, she’s actually a pretty cool person. Leede does not shy away from showcasing Maeve’s darkest thoughts and actions, delving deep into her psyche and creating a character that is both terrifying and magnetic.

This book was a mesmerizing and addictive read that kept me entranced from beginning to end. With its richly descriptive prose and unforgettable characters, this novel stands out as one of the most original and captivating psychological thrillers that I’ve read in a very long time. It is definitely one of my favorites this year. If you are a fan of thrilling and thought-provoking stories that push boundaries, then this book is a must-read.